Forza Italia! 6 Nations Rugby

[Philtaz]

Come on you blue boys, give us a win today at home! Pitch covered in snow and orange lines for pitch markings. Hopefully the conditions will be (the old cliche) 'a great leveller'.

Predictions?

[jno]

wow, the forza's with them at the moment. Good to see a competitive match in this weather

[joggerjayne]

Bring me up to speed !

[jno]

two tries in two minutes right at the end of the half, Italy lead 12-6

[joggerjayne]

Golly !

I wish I'd had a bet on that. The odds would've been fab.

[Philtaz]

Massive test for England's young guns second half, it's gonna be gladiatoral!

[jno]

only half time, who knows what the future holds. What odds could you have got on orange touchlines?

[Zhukov]

;0)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHAvjaHtlMA

[WyeDyed]

Heart: C'mon England, you can do it
Head: Oh bu99er!

Opening the other eye: I would love to see Italy win, it'll be great for the tournament and, as philtaz says, it would be a mark of Italy's progress.
The only problem is I will be in for relentless ribbing from the locals :(

[Philtaz]

Potentially the most important 40 minutes in English/Italian rugby history coming up. Forza Azzuri!

[Philtaz]

Despite their lead Italy are taking the game to England, strike while the irons hot.

[Philtaz]

Indiscipline creeping in from England, one more transgression and the ref may start to warm his hand in his pocket. Burton kicks a pen and Italy lead 15-6, massive psychological boost.

[sunny-dave]

15-6 phew what a scorcher ...

[Philtaz]

B*gger! Hodgson gets another charge down try just as the Italians were holding their own after a turnover. Hopefully the Italians heads won't drop and they'll bite back.
Farrell converts dead centre, 15-13. England breathe again.

[Philtaz]

England are proving up to the test of the banana skin, Farrell goes 4/4, 15-16.
As usual in such contests the last 20 will prove pivotal and I hope Italy don't crumble.

[Philtaz]

Farrell maintains his deadly accuracy, 15-19. Italy need something on the board soon or they may well capitulate.

[Philtaz]

6 mins to go and England haven't killed this game off. Botes woefully misses a pen to make it a one point match, Italy now need a score if they're going to pull off an unbelievable victory.

[Philtaz]

Last few mins and England will doubtless go for ball up the jumper mode from the scrum. It looks all up for Italy, a fantastic performance but unfortunately theu couldn't maintain the momentum after half time.

But the scrum is against the head, a short passage sees England knock the ball forward. Scrum down to Italy, 50 seconds on the clock.

Can they?

[Zhukov]

...thats it...Molto bene!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFacWGBJ_cs

[joggerjayne]

This all sounds very jolly.

Has it finished?

[DTCwordfan]

Close but no cigar Phil - a little better from the whites in the H2 but a long way to go....congrats Farrell, Dixon and Morgan....